The American Classic 2024 marked the highly anticipated comeback of the 2012 All-around Olympic champion Gabby Douglas, and while the artistic gymnast didn't look at her best, she's done enough to secure qualification to the nationals in three events.
Douglas first performed the floor routine, and although she looked a bit shaky, the 28-year-old was able to earn a score of 11.450. Jade Carey emerged as the top scorer in the discipline with 13.750.
As the rotations progressed at the American Classic 2024, Douglas grew in confidence and massively improved his scores in the next events. She performed a stunning vault routine to earn a score of 14.00 which placed her 2nd in the discipline behind Carey, and also confirmed her selection to the nationals in the event.
Jade Carey emerged as the star performer of the night. She clinched the gold medal in the all-around and floor exercise while also securing a silver on the balance beam at the American Classic. Carey scored 13.750 on the floor, 13.650 on the balance beam, 13.400 on uneven bars, and 14.200 on the vault to easily qualify for the nationals for each of the mentioned events along with all-around.
Speaking with the media after the event, Carey claimed that she was satisfied with her performance.
"It was a little bit challenging but I've done a lot more elite stuff this year throughout the college season, so it wasn't too bad," said Carey. "It was a little nervewracking only having three practices after NCAAs before here, but at the end of day, I knew they were a little bit easier routines so I should be OK." (via Olympics.com)
Suni Lee looked to have improved her performances from February, as the 2020 Tokyo all-around champion won the balance beam at the American Classic 2024 with a score of 14.300. She also earned 13.250 on vault to advance to the nationals.
American Classic 2024: Full results
#All-around standings
- Jade Carey - 55.00
- Myli Lew - 53.900
- Marissa Neal - 53.050
- Ashlee Sullivan - 52.450
- Zoey Molomo - 51.850
- Tatum Drusch - 51.400
- Malea Milton - 51.400
- Nicole Desmond - 51.300
- Brooke Pierson - 51.200
- Gabby Douglas - 50.650
#Event Standings
Vault
- Jade Carey - 14.200
- Gabby Douglas - 14.00
- Brynn Torry - 13.850
Uneven Bars
- Myli Lew - 13.100
- Addison Fatta - 13.750
- Marissa Neal - 13.050
Balance Beam
- Suni Lee - 14.300
- Jade Carey - 13.650
- Myli Lew- 13.600
Floor exercise
- Jade Carey - 13.750
- Myli Lew - 13.250
- Malea Milton - 13.250